Improvement in life-preservers



' tnitefl tatet 'Pzttr/uit,`

-w-eseze-W ERASTU'S S. BENNETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIM- SELF AND JUSTUS SMITH, OF SAME PLACE.

Letters Patent Na. 86,127, dated Jenna/ry 26, 1869; antedatednTnua/ry-ll, 1869.

DEPRCVEMEN'I IN LIF-PRESER VRS.

The Scheule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all 'whom 'it may aoncern:

Be it known that I, ERAsTUs S. BENNETT, of the Tcity, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and iniproved Method of Oonstructing Life-Preservels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The advantages to be derived from the use of my y port mainly to the head of the wearer, `does not inter-' fere with the free use of the arms in swiniming, or assisting others, or in casting off heavy weights, watersoaked clothing, skirts, boots, Sto., and` in emergencies, will supply sufficient air to maintain life several mo- Inents under water.

As an aid to those learning to swim, it is invaluable, since the buoyancy, besidcs being secured at the proper point, can be instantly adjusted to the requirements of the learner, vits position being such as permits the most perfect freedom in lthe use of the linibs.

,To enable others skilledV in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In the annexed plate, Fignre No. 1 represents a perspective view of the life-preserver as made by me. A A, a cylindrical ring, which may be cast in rubber, or made of rubber cloth, or other suitable material. lt is fastened around the neck by means of a string passing through the loops B'B, of which there are four, two only being shown. The ring or tube may be made round or with fiattened surfaces, top and bottoin.

G shows the valve by means of which I infiate the tube, or exhaust its contents, at pleasure.

A transverse section is shown in Figure No. 2, O.

A A, the tube. i

.D, a short piece of -rubber pipe, fastened at one end into the tube; the other end clasps the valve-cage E.

G, a hollow rnbber ball, one side lof which clasps the outer end of the Yalve-cage, the other being supplied vWith-a hole, VI..

J shows the valve-seat.

K, the stopper, which should be made of rubber or leather.

i L, the valve-stem, supplied with-a knob or button at its outer end, and a'spiral or other spring to keep the stopper in its seat.

N shows the spiral spring.

By placing the thumb on the opening or hole I, the fingers clasping the valve-cage, and presing them together, the air contained in the ball G vis forced through the valve and into the tube, the spring yielding to allow its passage, but closingI the valve When the pressure is removed. By repeating, this process soon fills the tube with such air as is admitted to the ball G.

It may -be inflated by blowing through the ball, when preferred.

The air may be removed from the inside of the tube, by pressing on the knob at the end of the valvestem L.

When the air is to be used under water, for inhalation, the ball G is "to be taken into the month, and pressure made on the knob.

What I claiin as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The valve O and its ball G, in combination with a 'liie-preserver, substantially as and fe: the purposes set forth.

E. S. BENNETT.

VVitnesses JOHN J Arms, R. O. MURRAY. 

